Anthony Joseph Questions Celtic’s Adam Idah Transfer Fee as £9.5m Deal Revisited

Celtic could potentially have signed Adam Idah for considerably less than the £9.5million eventually agreed with Norwich City, according to journalist Anthony Joseph.

The Republic of Ireland striker initially joined the Hoops on loan in January 2024 and quickly became an important figure in Brendan Rodgers’ side, helping the club secure a league and Scottish Cup double.

However, Celtic did not negotiate an option to make the move permanent as part of the original agreement.

That decision has now come under scrutiny, with Joseph suggesting the club missed an opportunity to protect themselves against a potential increase in Idah’s transfer value.

When Celtic returned for the forward permanently the following summer, Norwich rejected an opening offer believed to be worth between £4million and £5million.

The two clubs eventually reached an agreement worth up to £9.5million, comprising an initial £8.5million payment and a further £1million in potential add-ons.

Speaking on Celtic Fans TV, Joseph questioned why Celtic had not included a purchase clause in the original loan agreement.

He said: “Critics would say that that should never have gone to £9.5 million had there been preparation and not desperation six months before that when they brought Adam Idah in on loan and all they needed to do was put an option to buy for £5 million.”

Joseph also suggested Norwich had been close to accepting a lower offer from an Italian club during the January transfer window.

Hellas Verona had previously explored a loan move for Idah, which could potentially have led to a permanent transfer.

The journalist believes the striker’s successful spell in Glasgow strengthened Norwich’s negotiating position when Celtic returned to discuss a permanent deal.

Joseph added: “So that price was driven up because they knew Celtic’s desperation.”

Idah made an immediate impact after arriving in Glasgow, scoring nine goals in 19 appearances during his initial loan spell.

Among those contributions was his dramatic late winner against Rangers in the Scottish Cup final, helping Celtic complete their domestic double.

By the time the Hoops revisited the deal, Idah had established himself as an important part of Rodgers’ squad.

Joseph’s argument is that Celtic could have avoided the subsequent increase in price by agreeing a purchase option at the beginning of the loan, rather than having to negotiate from scratch after the striker had impressed in Scotland.